Storage tank for volatile liquids



March 29,1932. c. 1. DAY

STORAGE TANK FOR VOLATILE LIQUIDES Filed Dec. 29, 1927 2 Sheets-SheetMarch 29, 1932. c. DAY

STORAGE TANK FOR VOLATILE LIQUIDS Filed Dec. 29. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented M... 29, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE CLAYTON 1'. DAY, NEWYORK, N. Y ASSIGNOB TO CHICAGO BBIDGI & IRON 00., A CORPORATION 01ILLINOIS :TOBAGE TANK FOR VOIIATHIE LIQUIDS Application filed December29, 1921. semi no. 243,220.

This invention relates to improvements in storage tanks for volatileliquids, and more especially to such a tank of the breather type topermit expansion and contraction of 6 the gases in the vapor space abovethe liquid without loss. For example, in tanks of this type used for thestorage of gasoline, crude oil, and other volatile liquids, there is aconsiderable amount of gas in the space above the liquid. Variationsintemperature cause changes in this volume and if the volume of thecontainer cannot change accordingly there is an escape of gas andconsequent loss.

One of the features of my invention is the provision of such a tankrequiring no me chanical valves and presenting no drainage problem. Thetank, nevertheless, permits expansion and contraction of the gases inthe vapor space above the liquid while eflectually sealing the tank atall times against the escape of ases into the atmosphere.

nother feature of my invention is the provision of improved means forguiding the roof in its vertical movements.

Another important feature of my invention is the fact that it may beemployed in connection with standard tanks now in common use not of thebreather type. Such tanks may be easil converted into my improvedstorage tank by slight adaptations.

Other features and advantages of my invention will a pear more fully asI proceed with my speci cation.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention shown inthe accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view, Fig. 2is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 showing the liquid seal on anenlarged scale, Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 on anenlarged scale show ing the central guide for the movable roof, Fig. 4is a view taken as indicated by the line 4 of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form, Fig. 6 is a view similar toFig. 2 showing a modified form, and Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig.2showing a modified form of the vertical guide.

As shown in the drawings, the tank comprises the usual cylindrical shell10 with the bottom 11. Such tanks not of the breather example, may bewater in warmer climates or brine in colder ones. The roof 12 is rovidedat its peripher with a depenn flange 12 havin its ower, edge immerse 1nthe liquid 14, t us providing a liquid seal between the shell and theroof.

Suitable guiding means are provided to gulde the roofin its verticalmovements.

uch means may include members such as the rollers 15 carried by the roofand enga 'ng the inner wall of t e shell 10. The ro ers 15 may besupported in any suitable manner as, for example, b means of thediagonal hanger bars 16'an the vertical rod 17 provided with turnbuckles 18 to raise or lower the rollers 15to swing the rod 16 on thepivots 19 to bringthe rollers 15 into" correct adjustment against theshell 10. There may also be provided central guiding means ineluding apost 20 the u per end of which is telescopically embrace in thecylindrical guide 21 on top of theroof (see Fig. 3

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modified formin which the trough for the liquidseal is located inwardly a short distance. In this modified form, thetop of the shell 110 may be provided with a narrow stationary inwardlyextending flange 110 and the trough 113 may be at the inner margin ofthis flan e 110.

In such construction the conical roo 112 is preferably provided at itsperiphery with an upwardlyextending flange 112 and this in turn with anoutwardly extending flange 112 carrying at its periphery the dependingflan 112 with its lower edge immersed in the liiiuid 114 in the trough113. In converting a tank with a stationary conical roof into myimproved breather type of tank, it may be easier to cut the roof on aline in a little distance from the outer ed e of the tank instead of atthe ver outer e ge.

In the modifie form shown in Fig. 7, I have shown additional guidingmeans comprisin the vertical uide members 24 and the rol ers 24 mounteon the periphery of the roof, said rollers moving up and down on theguides 24 with the movement of the roof 12.

As shown in Fig. 2, the roof 12 may be provided with a projecting eave12 to prevent rain water from entering the trough 13.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, itis to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes,therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed in theappended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty in myinvention as broadly as possible in view of the prior art.

lVhat I claim is new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A storage tank comprising; a substantially cylindrical shell; avertically movable roof; a liquid seal between the shell and the roof ofrelatively slight height with respect to the height of the tank; andguiding means for guiding the roof in its vertical movements, saidguiding means including members carried by the roof engaging the innerwall of the shell and said guiding means extending inwardly asubstantial distance from the margin of the roof to constitute efiectivebrace elements for the latter.

2. A storage tank comprising; a substan tially cylindrical shell; avertically movable roof; a liquid seal between the shell and the roof;and guiding means for guiding the roof in its vertical movements, saidguiding means including members carried by. the roof engaging the innerwall of the shell, said members being supported from said roof bydiagonal outwardly, downwardly extending hanger bars and verticaladjustable rods connecting the outer ends of said hanger bars to theroof, said diagonal hanger bars being extended inwardly a distance fromthe margin of the roof to constitute efiective brace elements for thelatter.

3. A storage tank comprising; a substantially cylindrical shell; avertically movable roof; a liguid seal between the shell and the roof;gui ing means for guiding the roof in its vertical movements, saidguiding means including members carried by the roof extending asubstantial distance inwardly from the margin of the roof to constituteeffective braces for the latter and engaging the inner wall of theshell; and means for adjusting said last mentioned members individuallyinwardly or outwardly to vary the pressure of tlfieiiengagement with theinner wall of the s e 4. A stora e tank comprising a substantiallycylindrical shell, said shell at the top thereof having a stationaryroof portion extending inwardly from the margin, a vertically movableroof substantially inwardly of said (portion, one of said parts having adownwar ly extending flange, the other of said parts having a troughadapted to contain liquid engaged by said flange.

5. A storage tank comprising a substantially cylindrical shell, avertically movable roof substantially of conical form, a liquid seal atthe junction of the shell and roof, guide means carried 'by the roof andenga ing the shell below the liquid seal, said gui 0 means extendinginwardly and connected to the roof at a substantial distance from themargin thereof so as to form an effective brace means, and a centralguide means coacting with the brace means to preserve the shape of theroof, comprising a cylindrical guide member extending upwardly from theapex of the roof and post means within and engaged by said cylindricalmember.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day ofDecember 1927.

4 CLAYTON LDAY.

